Diaper with elastic crotch means

ABSTRACT

A disposable diaper being folded into a box pleat configuration and having a lateral fold line in the crotch region, an elastic means extending across the fold line with its ends attached to the opposing folded surfaces.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 519,493 filed Oct. 31, 1974now U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,115.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and moreparticularly to disposable diapers.

During recent years diapers of the disposable type have come intowidespread use. Although disposable diapers have attained popularitywith parents due to convenience, unfavorable comments have been madeabout leakage from the diapers during use and their fit on the infant.In particular, the ends of the diaper are normally susceptible toleakage due, in part, to a loose fit of the diaper about the infant.

Many of the present disposable diapers have tape strips located adjacentone end of the diapers. The diapers are normally placed on the infant bylaying the infant on the diaper with the strip bearing part of thediaper being located beneath the back waistline of the infant. Afterremoval of release sheets from the tape strips, attachment portions ofthe strips are brought around the infant's legs, and anchored to thefront portion of the diaper. However, in order to obtain a tight fit ofthe diaper and prevent leakage about the infant's legs, the attachmentportions of the strips are frequently secured at a location on the frontportion of the diaper which is spaced somewhat from the front end edgeor waistline of the diaper.

Since the permanently anchored portions of the strips are usuallylocated adjacent the back end edge of the diaper, after placement of thediaper the tape strips apply tension to the back waistline of the diaperand thus may maintain a relatively close fit of the diaper against theback waistline of the infant. In contrast, the attachment portions ofthe strips are often spaced from the front waistline of the diaper, andsignificant tension is not applied by the strips against the diaperfront waistline. The front waistline of the diaper is thus permitted togap away from the infant, increasing the possibility of urine leakage inthis area of the diaper, in spite that the front waistline of the diaperis normally more susceptible to urine leakage than the back waistline,since it is closer to the site of urine deposition on the diaper. Also,infants are generally inclined to spend more time on their stomachs thantheir backs, causing gravity to drive urine in the diaper with greaterfrequency toward the front waistline. Thus, the diaper ends are normallysusceptible to leakage where it should most be prevented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal feature of the present invention is the provision of adisposable diaper of simplified construction which provides an improvedfit and minimizes leakage at an end of the diaper.

The diaper of the present invention comprises, an absorbent pad assemblyhaving front and back waistline portions, and pleat means beinglaterally expandable in at least one waistline portion. The diaper haselastic means in the one waistline portion laterally constraining theone waistline portion when expanded.

Thus, a feature of the invention is that the constrained waistlineportion provides a snug fit of the diaper around the waistline of theinfant.

Another feature of the invention is that the constrained waistlineportion reduces leakage from an end of the diaper.

A further feature of the invention is that the constrained waistlineportion provides a comfortable fit of the diaper on the infant.

Still another feature of the invention is that the elastic means isactuated by lateral expansion of the pleat means to constrain thewaistline portion.

Yet another feature of the invention is that in another embodiment ofthe diaper the elastic means longitudinally constrains the pad assemblyin the crotch region to obtain a snug fit and prevent leakage.

Further features will become more fully apparent in the followingdescription of the embodiments of this invention and from the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a flat disposable diaper;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the diaper of FIG. 1 afterhaving been folded into a box-pleat configuration, and illustratingelastic means in a waistline portion of the diaper according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the formation of adiaper of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front plan view of an embodiment of a diaper ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 6-8 are fragmentary plan views illustrating configurations of thediaper of FIG. 5 as the diaper is unfolded for placement on an infant;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary front plan view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary front plan view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaperin another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaperin another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaperin another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaperin another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view, taken from the front, of thediaper of FIG. 15 as unfolded preparatory to placement on an infant;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary back plan view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary front plan view of the diaper of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary back plan view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary back plan view of the diaper of FIG. 19 asunfolded preparatory to placement on an infant;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaperin another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a partially folded diaperin another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a diaper of thepresent invention;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary back plan view of the diaper of FIG. 23 afterbeing laterally unfolded;

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a diaper of thepresent invention.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a diaper of thepresent invention;

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a diaper of thepresent invention;

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 33--33 of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 35--35 of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 37--37 of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicatedalong the line 39--39 of FIG. 38; and

FIG. 40 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of thediaper of the present invention;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a flat diaper designatedgenerally 26 having an absorbent pad assembly 27. The pad assembly 27has a fluid impervious backing sheet 28 defining a back surface 30 ofthe pad assembly, a fluid pervious cover or top sheet 32 defining asubstantial portion of a front surface 34 of the pad assembly, anabsorbent pad 36 positioned intermediate the backing sheet 28 and coversheet 32, front and back waistline portions 33a and 33b, and a crotchportion 35 intermediate the waistline portions 33a and b. The diaper orpad assembly has a pair of side edges 38a and 38b, and a pair of endedges 40a and 40b connecting the side edges 38a and b. The diaper 26 mayalso have a pair of conventional tape fasteners 42 adjacent one end edge40b of the diaper for securing the diaper about an infant duringplacement, with securing portions 43 of the fasteners 42 extending pastthe side edges 38a and b of the pad assembly. As best shown in FIG. 2,the top and backing sheets 32 and 28, respectively, may extend to theend edges of the diaper.

The flat diaper 26 of FIG. 1 has a plurality of longitudinally extendingfolds about fold lines 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d, defining a box-pleatconfiguration of the diaper, as shown in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIGS.1 and 3, the box-pleat diaper 26 has a longitudinally extending centralpanel C, a pair of first panels B and D extending from and overlying thecentral panel C, and a pair of outermost panels A and E extending fromand overlying the first panels B and D. The pleat means 46 of thebox-pleat diaper may be spaced apart in a lateral central portion of thediaper, as shown in FIG. 3, for a purpose which will be described below.As is apparent, the outermost panels A and E may be moved laterally inthe waistline portions 33a and b of the pad assembly to laterally expandthe pleat means.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the box-pleat diaper 26 has an endsection or flap 46 adjacent the end edge 40a, which may be folded abouta lateral fold line 50 over the front surface 34 of the diaper, suchthat the front surface 34 of the end section or flap means 48 engagesagainst the front surface 34 of the diaper adjacent the end section 48.Preferably, the end edge 52 of the absorbent pad 36 most adjacent theend edge 40a of the diaper is spaced from the end edge 40a, and the foldline 50 of the end section 48 is located adjacent the end edge 52 of theabsorbent pad 36, in order that the backing sheet 28 in the end section48 overlies an end portion of the absorbent pad when the end section isfolded into place on top of the diaper.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the diaper 26 has laterally extending elasticband means 53 in the form of an elastic loop 55. The elastic loop 55extends across the front surface 34 of the outermost panels A and Eadjacent the fold line 50. The diaper also has securing means 54, suchas adhesive, to retain a portion of the front surface 34 of the endsection 48 against the underlying front surface 34 of the box-pleatdiaper. Although for convenience the securing means 54 is described inconnection with the use of adhesive, it will be understood that othersuitable securing means may be utilized to retain the front surface ofthe end section to the underlying front surface of the diaper, such asby heat sealing.

In this embodiment, the securing means 54 comprises a spot of adhesive56 intermediate the spaced pleat means 46 on the front surface 34 of thecentral panel C adjacent the fold line 50, and a pair of adhesive linesor spots 58 on the front surface of the outermost panels A and Eadjacent the fold line 50. The adhesive spot 56 retains the frontsurface 34 of the central panel C in the end section 48 against theunderlying front surface 34 of the central panel C of the diaper.Similarly, the adhesive lines 58 retain the front surface 34 of theoutermost panels A and E in the end section 48 against the front surface34 of the underlying portions of the outermost panels in the diaper.

As shown, the elastic loop 55 passes around the adhesive lines or spots58, and courses of the loop 55 are located intermediate the adhesivespot 56 and the fold line 50. After the end section 48 has been foldedover the top of the diaper, as shown in FIG. 4, the end section 48 maybe pressed against the underlying portion of the diaper to obtain a goodset of the adhesive and retain the end section 48 in place. Thus, asshown in FIG. 5, when the end section 48 is attached to the underlyingfront surface of the diaper, the elastic loop 55 is captured beneath theend section 48 by the adhesive lines 58. Although, for convenience, theelastic means 53 and end section 48 are described in connection with thefront waistline portion 33a, it is apparent that a similar structure maybe included in the back waistline portion 33b, or both waistlineportions if desired, in this and many of the other embodiments of thepresent invention.

The use of the elastic band means 53 in conjunction with the folded overend section 48 to provide a snug fit of the diaper and minimize leakageis described in connection with FIGS. 6-8. As the end of the box-pleatdiaper 26 adjacent the end section 48 is unfolded during placement ofthe diaper on an infant, the spots of adhesive 56 and 58 or securingmeans 54 maintain front surface portions of the end section 48 againstthe underlying front surface 34 of the diaper, and retain the elasticloop 55 in place beneath the end section 48. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6and 7, as the outermost panels A and E of the diaper are spreadoutwardly, the outermost panels of the end section 48 are unfolded fromunder the central panel C of the end section, and the captured elasticloop 55 is expanded by the adhesive lines 58. When the end of the diaperis completely unfolded, as shown in FIG. 8, the securing means 54retains the entire length of the end section 48 in an overlyingrelationship with the portion of the diaper adjacent the end section 48.In this configuration, the adhesive spot 56 retains the central panel Cof the end section 48 against the underlying portion of the diapercentral panel, while the adhesive lines 58 retain the outermost panelsof the end section 48 against the underlying outermost panels of the padassembly or diaper. Additionally, the captured elastic loop 55 isexpanded and actuated responsive to lateral expansion of the pleatmeans, and causes a gathering of the pad assembly in the waistlineportion 33a. Thus, the elastic loop laterally constrains the waistlineportion of the pad assembly, and when the diaper is placed on an infantafter securement by the tape fasteners the waistline portion is broughtinto close contact by the elastic loop to obtain a snug fit about thewaistline of the infant. As shown, the end section 48 substantiallycovers the elastic band means 53 to prevent contact of the band meansagainst the skin of the infant.

Accordingly, when the box-pleat diaper is completely unfolded, thefolded over portion of the fluid impervious backing sheet 28 serves toform a waterproof sealing barrier to prevent leakage at the end of thediaper. Since the folded over backing sheet in the end sectionpreferably overlies an end portion of the absorbent pad, the backingsheet forms a waterproof pocket of capture urine which may wick from theend edge of the absorbent pad, and thus prevents leakage. It is notedthat the securing means 54 of the unfolded diaper of FIG. 8 retains onlyspaced areas of the end section against the diaper. Thus, the regions ofthe backing sheet in the end section 48 intermediate the adhesive spots56 and 58 are permitted to gap away from the underlying front surface ofthe diaper. The elastic band means 53 brings the waistline portion ofthe diaper into close contact with the infant's skin, and these freeregions of the end section serve to form a gasket against the infant'sskin and aid in preventing leakage of urine from the diaper.Additionally, the elastic means assists in retaining the diaper aboutthe infant, and permits the use of tape fasteners of reduced strength,thus reducing the cost of the fasteners and diaper to the consumer.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 9, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the courses of the elastic loop 55 pass on oppositesides of the adhesive spot 56. In other respects the diaper of FIG. 9 issimilar to the diaper described in connection with FIGS. 1-8, andoperates similarly to obtain a close fit of the waistline portion aboutthe infant.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 10,in which like reference numerals designate like parts. In thisembodiment, which is similar in most respects to the diapers previouslydescribed, the adhesive spot 56 is omitted from the pad assembly, andthe adhesive lines or spots 58 of the securing means 54 retain theelastic loop 55 beneath the end section 48, as previously described, andretain the end section 48 in its overlying relationship when the diaperis expanded.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 11, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the elastic means 53 comprises an elastic strip 57which is secured to the front surface 34 of the outermost panels A andE. The strip 57 may comprise a pressure-sensitive tape having an elasticbacking and adhesive adjacent its ends secured to the outermost panels.The end section 48 may be retained in place over the strip 57 bysecuring means 54. The elastic strip 57 operates similar to the elasticloop 53 to obtain a close fit of the waistline portion of the diaper, aspreviously described.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 12, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the elastic strip 57 has end portions 59 which aresecured to adhesive on the securing portions 43 of the tape fasteners42, in order to retain the elastic strip 57 in place over the frontsurface 34 of the outermost panels A and E. The end section 48 may beretained in place by securing means 54. When the outermost panels aremoved laterally to expand the pleat means 46 during placement of thediaper, the adhesive on the tape fasteners retains the end portions 59of the elastic strip 57, such that the strip 57 is expanded.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 13 in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends around the securingportions 43 of the tape fasteners 42, and the tape fasteners retain theelastic loop in its proper position when the pleat means in the diaperis expanded for placement of the diaper on the infant. The end section48 may be retained in place by securing means 54, as previouslydescribed.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 14, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the elastic band means 53 comprises a strip of elasticfoam 61 having ends secured to the front surface 34 of the outermostpanels A and E by securing means 54 which may also retain the endsection 48 in place on the diaper.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIGS. 15 and 16, in which like reference numerals designate likeparts. In this embodiment the elastic foam strip 61 has end portions 63retained by the adhesive on the securing portions 43 of the tapefasteners 42, and the strip 61 passes over the back surface 30 of theend section 48. When the waistline portion of the pad assembly islaterally expanded, as shown in FIG. 16, the foam strip 61 covers asubstantial portion of the folded over end section 48, and provides aparticularly soft surface over the end section for the infant's skin.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIGS. 17 and 18, in which like reference numerals designate likeparts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends around thesecuring portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42 and passes around the backsurface 30 of the central panel C in the pad assembly. An intermediateportion of the elastic loop 55 may be secured to the back surface 30 ofthe central panel C by suitable means, such as a tape strip 65. Theelastic loop 55 in the diaper of FIGS. 17 and 18 operates to laterallyconstrain the waistline portion of the diaper, as previously described,when the pleat means in the diaper is laterally expanded duringplacement of the diaper on the infant, with the securing portions 43 ofthe fasteners 42 retaining the loop in position in conjunction with thetape strip 65.

A somewhat similar embodiment of the diaper of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, in which like reference numeralsdesignate like parts. In this embodiment, the elastic loop 55 alsoextends around the securing portions 43 of the tape fasteners 42 and theback surface 30 of the central panel C in the pad assembly. However, inthis embodiment, the back surface of the central panel in an end section48' is folded against the back surface 30 of the central panel C, asshown, and securing means 54', such as an adhesive spot 56', retains thecentral panel of the end section 48' against the back surface of thecentral panel C. The courses of the elastic loop 55 pass between theadhesive spot 56' and a fold line 50' defining the folded over endsection 48'. When the pleat means in the diaper is laterally expanded,as shown in FIG. 20, the entire end section 48', including the firstpanels B and D and outermost panels A and E, as well as the centralpanel C, is folded over the back surface 30 of the diaper and covers asubstantial portion of the elastic loop 55. The elastic loop 55 operatesto laterally constrain the laterally expanded diaper and provide a goodfit of the diaper around the waistline of an infant, as previouslydescribed.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 21, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends completely around the outersurface of the pleated diaper, and operates as previously described tolaterally constrain the diaper when it is unfolded. The loop 55 may beretained in place by the end section 48 which is secured to theunderlying front surface of the diaper by the securing means 54.Alternatively, or in combination with the end section 48, the tapefasteners 42 may be utilized to prevent slippage of the loop 55 towardthe crotch region of the diaper, thus retaining the loop at its desiredlocation.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 22, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the elastic loop 55 extends around the outer surface ofthe pleated diaper, with the loop passing around the side edge 38aintermediate one tape fastener 42a and the end edge 40b, and passingaround the other side edge 38b adjacent a side of the other tapefastener 42b remote the end edge 40b. It is apparent that the fasteners42a and b alone will retain the loop 55 in place when the diaper islaterally unfolded, but the end section 48 may be folded over andsecured to the underlying front surface of the diaper by securing means54 in order to cover the loop, if desired.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIGS. 23 and 24, in which like reference numerals designate likeparts. As shown in FIG. 23, a plurality of elastic strips 70, 72, 74,and 76 have opposed ends 70a and 70b, 72a and 72b, 74a and 74b, and 76aand 76b, respectively, secured to exposed surfaces of adjacent panels inthe pad assembly, such that the distance along the surfaces of theadjacent panels intermediate the opposed ends of each strip ispreferably greater than the length between the opposed ends in eachstrip itself. Alternatively, the central portion of the strip may beplaced under tension prior to unfolding the diaper. As illustrated inFIG. 24, when the diaper is laterally unfolded, the central portions ofthe strips assume a position adjacent the surface of the diaper undertension, and the strips thus laterally constrain the diaper. The strips70 and 72 are shown as extending between the back surface 30 of theoutermost panels A and E and the back surface 30 of the first panels Band D, respectively, while the strips 74 and 76 are shown as extendingbetween the front surface 34 of the first panels B and D and the frontsurface 34 of the central panel C. It will be understood that the padassembly 27 may have any suitable arrangement of the strips, such as thestrips 70 and 72 or the strips 74 and 76 alone, and that the strips maybe located at any desired longitudinal position in the diaper to producethe desired effect when the pad assembly is unfolded.

Thus, in FIG. 25, the box-pleat diaper has an elastic strip 78 havingopposed ends 78a and b secured to the front surface 34 of the outermostpanel A and the back surface 30 of the central panel C, as shown insolid lines, or the end 78b may be secured to the back surface 30 of thefirst panel B, as shown in dotted lines, with the central portion of thestrip extending between the ends 78a and b. In FIG. 26, the strip 78 hasits ends 78a and b secured to the front surface 34 of the outermostpanel A and the front surface 34 of the central panel C, and may be usedin lieu of the adhesive spots used to retain the pleats in place overthe central panel, if desired.

The elastic strips may be utilized to laterally constrain an invertedpleat diaper, as described in connection with FIGS. 27-31 below. Asshown in FIG. 27, the inverted pleat diaper 26 has a longitudinallyextending central panel C, a pair of doubled back panels F and Gextending from and underlying the back surface of the central panel C,and a pair of outermost panels A and E extending from the back panels Fand G and overlying the front surface of the central panel C. Theelastic strip 78 has its opposed ends 78a and b secured to the backsurface 30 of the back panels F and G, such that the strip 78 laterallyconstrains the pad assembly when the diaper is unfolded.

The inverted pleat diaper of FIG. 28 includes a pair of elastic strips78 and 78' having opposed ends 78a and b and 78a and b', respectively,secured to the back surface 30 of the back panels F and G and the backsurface 30 of the central panel C. In FIG. 29, the opposed ends 78a andb of the elastic strip 78 are secured to the back surface 30 of theoutermost panel A and the front surface 34 of the central panel C. Asshown in FIG. 30, the elastic strip 78 may have its ends 78a and bsecured to the back surface 30 of the outermost panels A and E. Asillustrated in FIG. 31, the diaper 26 may include an elastic strip 78having its ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the centralpanel C and the back surface 30 of a first section H in the back panelF, and/or an elastic strip 78' having its ends 78a' and 78b' secured tothe front surfaces 34 of contiguous first and second sections H and I inthe back panel F. In each case, the elastic strips are under tension,such as by expanding the strips from a relaxed state, when the padassembly is unfolded to laterally constrain the diaper. As previouslydiscussed, the elastic strips may be under some initial tension prior tounfolding the diaper, if desired.

The elastic strips or means may also be utilized to longitudinallyconstrain the diaper when it is unfolded, particularly in the crotchregion of the diaper. A box pleat diaper is shown in FIGS. 32 and 33which is folded for packaging along a lateral fold line 80 in the crotchregion 35 such that the front surfaces of the central panel C and theoutermost panels A and E face outwardly, and the back surfaces ofcontiguous longitudinal sections of the central panel C face each other.As shown in FIG. 33, the pad assembly 27 may have one or more elasticstrips 78, 78', and 78" on both sides of the diaper in the crotch region35. Strips 78 have their opposed ends 78a and b secured to the backsurfaces 30 of the outermost panels A and E on opposite sides of thefold line 80. Similarly, strips 78' have their ends 78a' and 78b'secured to the front surfaces 34 of the first panels B and D, and strips78" have their ends 78a" and 78b" secured to the back surfaces 30 of thecentral panel on opposite sides of the fold line. When the diaper isunfolded about the fold line 80 during placement of the diaper, thestrips are under tension, such as by expanding the strips, tolongitudinally constrain the diaper in the crotch region, thus obtaininga snug fit of the diaper and preventing leakage. If the distance alongthe surface of the pad assembly between the opposed ends of the stripsis greater than the length of the strips between their ends, the stripsmay be in a relaxed state prior to unfolding the diaper. Otherwise, thestrips are secured to the diaper in a manner such that the strips areunder tension prior to unfolding the diaper to achieve the desiredeffect when the diaper is unfolded.

In FIGS. 34 and 35 the box pleat diaper is shown folded along a lateralfold line 80' in the crotch region 35, with the back surface of thecentral panel C facing outwardly from the laterally folded diaper. Asshown in FIG. 35, elastic strips 78 have their ends 78a and b secured tothe front surface 34 of the central panel C on opposite sides of thefold line 80'. Similarly, strips 78' have their ends 78a' and 78b'secured to the back surfaces 30 of the first panels B and D, whilestrips 78" have their ends 78a" and 78b" secured to the front surfaces34 of the outermost panels A and E on opposite sides of the fold line80'. It is apparent that in the above and following embodiments of thediaper, the elastic means may be located inside the panels themselves,if desired.

An inverted pleat diaper is shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 which is laterallyfolded along the fold line 80 in the crotch region 35 such that the backsurface 30 of the outermost panels A and E and the front surface 34 ofthe central panel C face outwardly. The diaper includes one or moreelastic strips 78, 78', 78", and 78'" having their ends secured onopposite sides of the fold line 80. Strips 78 have their ends 78a and bsecured to the front surface 34 of the outermost panels A and E, strips78' have their ends 78a' and 78b' secured to the back surface 30 of thecentral panel C, strips 78" have their ends 78a" and 78b" secured to thefront surfaces 34 of the first sections H in the back panels F and G,and strips 78'" have their ends 78a'" and 78b'" secured to the backsurfaces 30 of the second sections I in the back panels F and G. Theinverted pleat diaper of FIGS. 38 and 39 is folded along the lateralfold line 80' in the crotch region 35 such that the back surface 30 ofthe back panels F and G and the central panel C face outwardly. one ormore elastic strips 78, 78', 78", and 78'" are secured on opposite sidesof the fold line 80, as described below. Strips 78 have their ends 78aand b secured to the front surfaces 34 of the second sections I in theback panels F and G, strips 78' have their ends 78a' and 78b' secured tothe back surfaces 30 of the first sections H in the back panels F and G,strips 78" have their ends 78a" and 78b" secured to the front surface 34of the central panel C, and the strips 78'" have their ends 78a'"secured to the back surfaces 30 of the outermost panels A and E. Theelastic strips or means in the diapers of FIGS. 36-39 operate aspreviously described to longitudinally constrain the pad assembly in thecrotch region when the diaper is longitudinally unfolded.

Another embodiment of the diaper of the present invention is illustratedin FIG. 40, in which like reference numerals designate like parts. Inthis embodiment, the flat diaper of FIG. 1 is folded in the crotchregion 35 along a lateral fold line 80, such that the front surface 34of the diaper faces outwardly. One or more elastic strips 78 have theiropposed ends 78a and b secured to the back surface 30 of the diaper onopposite sides of the fold line 80. Thus, when the diaper is unfoldedfor placement of the diaper on an infant, as indicated by the directionof the arrows in the drawing, the strips 78 are under tension tolongitudinally constrain the diaper in the crotch region, resulting asnug fit of the diaper to provide comfort to the infant and preventleakage.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:
 1. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair of waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate said waistline portions, a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly, said pad assembly having a first pair of fold lines defining a longitudinally extending central panel, and a second pair of fold lines defining a pair of intermediate panels overlying the front surface of the central panel and a pair of outermost panels overlying the intermediate panels, said pad assembly having a fold in said crotch region along a lateral fold line and defining end sections of the pad assembly with the back surfaces of the central panel end sections facing each other, and said pad assembly having an elastic band extending across said lateral fold line and having opposed ends secured on opposite sides of the lateral fold line to the back surface of said central panel.
 2. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair of waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate said waistline portions, a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly, said pad assembly having a first pair of fold lines defining a longitudinally extending central panel, and a second pair of fold lines defining a pair of intermediate panels overlying the front surface of the central panel and a pair of outermost panels overlying the intermediate panels, said pad assembly having a fold in said crotch region along a lateral fold line and defining end sections of the pad assembly with the back surfaces of the central panel end sections facing each other, and said pad assembly having an elastic band extending across said lateral fold line and having opposed ends secured on opposite sides of the lateral fold line to the back surface of said intermediate panel.
 3. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair of waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate said waistline portions, a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly, said pad assembly having a first pair of fold lines defining a longitudinally extending central panel, and a second pair of fold lines defining a pair of intermediate panels overlying the front surface of the central panel and a pair of outermost panels overlying the intermediate panels, said pad assembly having a fold in said crotch region along a lateral fold line and defining end sections of the pad assembly with the back surfaces of the central panel end sections facing each other, and said pad assembly having an elastic band extending across said lateral fold line and having opposed ends secured on opposite site sides of the lateral fold line to the back surface of said outermost panel.
 4. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair of waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate said waistline portions, a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly, said pad assembly having a first pair of fold lines defining a longitudinally extending central panel, and a second pair of fold lines defining a pair of intermediate panels overlying the front surface of the central panel and a pair of outermost panels overlying the intermediate panels, said pad assembly having a fold in said crotch region along a lateral fold line and defining end sections of the pad assembly with the front surfaces of the outermost panel sections facing each other, and said pad assembly having an elastic band extending across said lateral fold line and having opposed ends secured on opposite sides of the lateral fold line to the front surface of said outermost panel.
 5. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair of waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate said waistline portions, a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly, said pad assembly having a first pair of fold lines defining a longitudinally extending central panel, and a second pair of fold lines defining a pair of intermediate panels overlying the front surface of the central panel and a pair of outermost panels overlying the intermediate panels, said pad assembly having a fold in said crotch region along a lateral fold line and defining end sections of the pad assembly with the front surfaces of the outermost panel sections facing each other, and said pad assembly having an elastic band extending across said lateral fold line and having opposed ends secured on opposite sides of the lateral fold line to the front surface of said intermediate panel.
 6. A disposable diaper, comprising: an absorbent pad assembly having an absorbent pad, a pair of waistline portions, a crotch portion intermediate said waistline portions, a front surface, a back surface, a pair of side edges, a pair of end edges connecting said side edges, a plurality of longitudinally extending folds defining a box-pleat configuration of the pad assembly, said pad assembly having a first pair of fold lines defining a longitudinally extending central panel, and a second pair of fold lines defining a pair of intermediate panels overlying the front surface of the central panel and a pair of outermost panels overlying the intermediate panels, said pad assembly having a fold in said crotch region along a lateral fold line and defining end sections of the pad assembly with the front surfaces of the outermost panel sections facing each other, and said pad assembly having an elastic band extending across said lateral fold line and having opposed ends secured on opposite sides of the lateral fold line to the front surface of said central panel. 